Non essential retailers have been forced to close for the second National lockdown. For many  businesses this is a critical time of year and some will be forced to close for good if urgent action is not taken now.

If we continue to allow large retailers to benefit from other shops closures our communities, towns and local economies will suffer.

How are retailers selling essential items also allowed to sell non essentials? It is simply not a level playing field. Non essential retailers should either be able to reopen or any retailers currently open should not be allowed to sell non essential goods.

Some larger retailers are currently allowed to circumvent enforced regulations by stocking a small amount of essential items.

Closing some stores does not appear to help the spread of COVID, it means more people are now flocking to larger stores, hence more contact with people outside of their own household. It just doesn’t make any sense.

Essentially parliament is allowing certain retailers to capitalise on other retailers misfortune. It is discriminatory and must be stopped now.